U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in Libya on an unannounced visit Tuesday to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss the country's political transition.
She is also expected to announce student exchange programs and aid for wounded National Transitional Council fighters.
Her visit was subject to a news blackout ahead of her arrival, reflecting concerns the NTC does not have full control over the country after deposing Muammar Gaddafi in August.
Interim government forces have so far been unable to quash resilient loyalist fighters in Sirte where desperate families continue to flee the city to escape heavy shelling.
SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FLEEING SIRTE RESIDENT, HALIMA AL-SHIBANI, SAYING:
"The situation is war, bombs are coming down on us, hitting us from all sides, we were living in hell. For the past four days, we have had no food or drink, our children, my little girl has a fever and we haven't given her any pills until now.
Sirte is the last remaining pocked of resistance after Bani Walid fell to the NTC on Monday.
Lindsey Parietti, Reuters

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